overview Annual Report 2014 - 2015
2014-2015 highlights
Whitehill & Bordon regeneration With the Army leaving Bordon Garrison in 2015, the project is in full swing. Planning consent granted for 3,300 homes, 5,000 jobs and social and community facilities. Developers appointed for all three sites. Almost £100m funds secured. See page 8
Cllr Ferris Cowper is interviewed by the BBC
Energy Strategy A bold Energy Strategy was adopted in November 2014. Through the strategy we will deliver a low-carbon, energy efficient, economically vibrant district.
Jane Devlin, Energy Strategy Manager
Councillor recruitment The #changeyourworld campaign encouraged people with a passion for their community and a head for business to put their name forward for election in May 2015. The campaign included promotion through radio, print, web and social media. 19 new councillors were elected in May.
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overview
East Hampshire District Council’s major achievements and financial highlights for the 2014-15 financial year.
Projects include mapping the use of energy in the area and support for switching to electric vehicles.
Planning and development 73 major applications determined in 2014/15 for nearly 6,000 homes. Our Joint Core Strategy was approved in May 2014. Only 25% of councils have had their plan approved. 550 homes built in the district – 212 were affordable housing. Nearly £2m awarded via the government’s New Homes Bonus.
The Rural Areas Play Project and Get Activ8d The RAPP playscheme and Get Activ8d sports sessions served around 4,500 young people from families across East Hampshire from April 2014 to March 2015. The introduction of a second team this year has doubled the number of people who can take part.
EHDC
25000
Parish Councils
20000
Transfers to reserves Police
Fire & Rescue
Less than
10%
of your council tax goes to EHDC Hampshire County Council
Where does your Council Tax payment go? 250 In 2014/15 the average Band D 200 Council Tax in East Hampshire was £1,455.60. This income is 150 divided between parish councils, Hampshire County Council, 100 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Authority and Hampshire 50 Fire & Rescue and East Hampshire 0 District Council.
By making significant cost savings 15000 to our original budget in 2014/15 we were able to transfer £1.2m to 10000 reserves. 5000 The cost of EHDC services per household has dropped to £220.50 0 for a year.
Where our budget comes from
£20.2m £11m
Government Grants & Business Rates
£9m
£16.9m
£15.7m £6.2m
£7.7m
Government Grants & Business Rates
Government Grants & Business Rates
£9.2m
£9.5m
Council Tax
Council Tax
Council Tax
11/12
13/14
14/15
Average cost per household for EHDC services
£220.50
£239.58
11/12
£217.82
12/13
£228.54
13/14
£220.50
14/15
Property investments In 2013 we decided that in order to make our investments go further, we would expand our property portfolio. For 2014-15 our property investments brought a net income of £860,000 into the council.
Awarding grants We awarded around £836,000 in grants to community groups, businesses and partners.
£836k
Grants included: apprenticeships; business start-up; councillorawarded grants; partnership funding for Citizens Advice Bureau; Green Deal and the Youth Council Money Pot.
316 jobs @ £10.3m EHDC employed the equivalent of 277 full-time staff. The figure above includes part-time workers and vacant posts.
overview
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a message from the Leader and Chief Executive
What do you think the public services of the future will look like? What will they do? Who will they serve? These are the sort of questions the leadership of East Hampshire District Council has focused on in the last year. We have developed our vision for how the council will operate in 2019 and are now working to achieve that vision. Our main plan, the council’s Corporate Strategy, was launched in February. It sets out the council’s mission: to improve people’s lives by providing excellent customer services that represent good value for money and meet our communities’ needs. For more information on the strategy, go to page 6. EHDC aims to be independent of central government grants by 2019. Independence will allow the council to stand on its own without reducing the vital services we know our residents, businesses and visitors rely on. Services you want, when you want them This doesn’t mean that services will stay the same. We know that we can find savings and efficiencies by looking at our processes and making it easier for our customers to make their own choices about the services we provide.
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The introduction of a new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system will help us to streamline services and - through customer accounts - allow customers to access our services online whenever they want them. The first step in this process is the development of a new, mobile-friendly, council website, which went live in the summer. Staff in a starring role We will continue to invest in our staff to develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the council. Our staff are dedicated to their jobs and are willing to go the extra mile to help customers. We will build on these inherent qualities, making a workforce with a range of skills, experience and commercial acumen. Regeneration for future generations The Whitehill & Bordon regeneration project is vital to the community and economy of the town following the departure of the Army later this year.
By providing apprenticeships and start-up grants, we support growth in the economy and give opportunities to people trying to start their careers. In 2014-15, we had 24 apprenticeships pass through our doors to a wide variety of businesses around the district. As you can see, East Hampshire District Council has a lot to be proud of. This wouldn’t be possible without the crucial input from our residents and businesses who are helping us shape how we do things now and in the future. And of course it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of our staff, councillors and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to help improve people’s lives in East Hampshire. Thank you to you all for contributing to this council’s success this year and in years to come.
Working with local residents, community groups and businesses, the regeneration will provide homes, create jobs and improve services and facilities for existing and new residents. Open for business East Hampshire has almost 6,000 businesses and these are crucial to the district’s economy, the vast majority are Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Councillor Ferris Cowper, Leader of the Council and Sandy Hopkins, Chief Executive
our staff We are incredibly proud of our staff, whose hard work made the achievements in this report possible. Here are just a few examples of staff who have excelled in 2014-15. Neil Burton Animal Welfare Officer Neil organised a seminar called ‘Dogs - Keeping The Peace’ in January 2015, with highly experienced guest speakers from around the UK. The event brought in 35 paying attendees from councils across the UK, generating £1,800 profit for the organisation.
Lyn Hayler Cemetery Service Manager After years without knowing, a member of the public was able to find the unmarked grave of his sister who was killed when she was seven years old, thanks to Lyn’s help. Lyn discovered that the girl was buried in Petersfield Cemetery but the records there did not pinpoint the plot. The girl’s resting place was found after Lyn searched documents held at Winchester in the County Records Office. This has allowed the family to arrange a headstone for the grave. This is just one example of her excellent customer service and was covered in an article in the Petersfield Post (22.10.14) ‘Mystery of young girl’s grave laid to rest’.
Olia Mitskevich Economic Development Assistant Olia has led the organisation of the Digital High Streets programme of training for local retail businesses. Her work has demonstrated professionalism and commitment to customer service and has made a significant contribution to the delivery of the EHDC Strategy for Business.
James Harvey (right) Benefits Officer Noticing a need in the Alton area, James volunteered to set up a Benefits presence in the Alton Information Office. This has now been up and running for more than a year, providing faceto-face benefits assessments for local residents.
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a vision for 2019 In February 2014, EHDC launched its Corporate Strategy for 2014-2019. This ambitious document maps an innovative and different way to provide public services.
Our mission To improve people’s lives by providing excellent public services that represent good value for money and meet our communities’ needs.
The vision In May 2019, we are the most admired local authority in Britain Our council is financially independent of all government funding. The key to our success has been our focus on revolutionary change through creativity and innovation. New product innovation has become a core council activity. EHDC is an innovative and entrepreneurial council, leading the way for public service in Britain. We have recruited and developed professional council officers with a range of skills, experience and commercial acumen.
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overview
Our priorities
Our values
The operational priorities that will enable us to deliver this mission are:
These are central to the way the council does business:
Financial sustainability
Customer focus
Economic growth
Innovation
Environmental sustainability
Cost effectiveness
Public service excellence
Entrepreneurship
Creativity and innovation
Environmental sustainability
EHDC has a culture that embraces and implements new ideas.
Attitude
We have a reputation as the most business-friendly council in the UK.
Our officers and councillors approach their work with:
EHDC has established itself as a national leader in partnership working.
Fairness and integrity
We are robust guardians of our ‘natural capital’, balancing income generation with reducing harmful emissions, protecting the local and global environment. We lead the way in local and sustainable energy generation and conservation. Our customers can access services in ways that reflect their preferences and needs, which has resulted in improved customer satisfaction and experience as well as reducing costs. East Hampshire is the best place in Britain to live and enjoy life.
Responsibility Respect and support for others
Enablers These tools help to make the vision a reality Marketing strategy Creativity and innovation Our staff and councillors An enabling political environment Technology
best for business East Hampshire aims to be the most business friendly council in the UK. A number of initiatives have been developed to support businesses and encourage growth in the local economy. Developer agreements Strategy for Business 2015-2021 Our Strategy for Business was launched in February 2015. It sets out how the council will achieve our vision of being ‘the most business-friendly council in the UK’. The strategy focuses on three factors that will make this possible: infrastructure, skills and business
An apprentice at Ampac Europe
We have worked with developers to guarantee employment, apprenticeships and training to local people. This is part of the ‘Get East Hampshire Working’ initiative, which aims to maximise benefits of new development for local people.
Omega Park, Alton
Apprenticeship scheme
Invest for Growth initiative
EHDC set aside more than £300,000 to fund an apprenticeship scheme to encourage local businesses to take on local apprentices.
The council has committed £1m of funding to deliver new commercial premises in the district.
24 people started apprenticeships in 2014-15. We hope to help another 20 over the next 12 months.
The scheme that will start to be delivered in 2015-16 will create new jobs, new business floor space and generate revenue as part of our commitment to be financially independent by 2019.
Business Start-up grants In 2014-15, we awarded £10,000 in grant funding to help support new businesses in East Hampshire. Grants have been used to support a range of new business across a variety of industry sectors at their crucial early stage of development.
Little Vintage Interiors, Alton and Alex Shrimpton, Energy Saving People, received start-up grants
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regeneration 2014-2015 was a big year for the Whitehill & Bordon regeneration project, with three major planning applications agreed, community and business events as well as work starting on a range of development sites. Louisburg Barracks
Bordon Garrison site
The Homes & Communities Agency’s outline planning application for the Louisburg Barracks site was approved in September 2014.
Planning permission was granted for the largest scheme ever considered by East Hampshire District Council.
The site will provide 500 homes and 500 jobs, with a new construction skills training centre and a huge economic boost for the area.
It includes 2,400 homes, a new town centre, new secondary school, leisure centre including six-lane swimming pool, 150 hectares of publicly accessible green space and a relief road.
Housing Zone status In March, Whitehill & Bordon became one of just 20 towns in the country to be awarded ‘Housing Zone status’ as part of a central government flagship scheme.
Cllr Ferris Cowper with Kevin Bourner of the Homes & Communities Agency
New homes and facilities will be delivered more quickly with a promise of fresh opportunities for extra funding of up to £20m.
Business support
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overview
The first three zero-carbon homes built in the town were officially opened in March. The houses have been built by Radian as affordable housing for local people. The three terraced homes are behind the Eco-station, which is on Camp Road.
Police move in to the Eco-station
The council has worked with the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership and People 1st to provide free events for local businesses in Whitehill & Bordon delivered by retail specialists ‘Vision On’. The courses helped businesses improve sales.
Eco-terrace opening
After two years as a successful exhibition centre and consultation venue, the Eco-station on Camp Road is now home to Whitehill Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Sue Williams of Vision On with Anita Warren of Colours Hair and Beauty
The Eco-station location ensures that officers are in the heart of the community they serve.
in the community Much of the council’s work is carried out in the community. Working with partners and community groups is key to supporting happy and healthy communities around East Hampshire.
Butserfest More than 1,500 people came to rock at the base of Butser Hill for the UK’s biggest alcohol-free rock festival on Saturday 13 September. Organised in partnership with Southampton Solent University and in the beautiful setting of Queen Elizabeth Country Park, the one-day event featured more than 30 bands over three stages and free activities included in the ticket price.
The Blackout at Butserfest 2014
East Hampshire Youth Council The East Hampshire Youth Council continues to represent the voice of young people in East Hampshire.
The 2015 event is on Saturday 12 September and the 10th Butserfest will take place on Saturday 10 September 2016. Tickets are available now. Butserfest updates can be found at www.butserfest.co.uk
Alton Community Festival Hundreds of Altonians soaked up the atmosphere at a Brazilianthemed Community Festival in July organised by EHDC and partners. Local school children performed samba rhythms and footballers went toe-to-toe at the event held at Alton College.
Its ‘Money Pot’ grants provided £3,035 from 1 April 2014 – 31 March 2015 to initiatives run for or by young people.
Petersfield Youth Theatre
1,650 young people benefited from the grants.
Autosolo With the aim of encouraging responsible driving and introducing young people to motorsport, the council held its first Autosolo event in July. 24 young drivers from 14 to 21 negotiated a memorised low-speed course as quickly as possible without hitting markers. More events are planned for 2015.
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grants An important way that the council supports local community groups is by providing grant funding. In 2014-15 we gave more than £450k to groups and clubs in the district. Here are just a few of those grants.
Petersfield Rugby Club Petersfield Rugby Club received £5,000 from EHDC and help to secure an additional £63,000 from local developer contributions towards £95,000 worth of floodlights around its pitches and training ground.
Liss Archaeology Group In June 2014, Liss Archaeology Group was awarded a £950 grant to help buy a marquee to provide shelter when studying, storing and recording their latest discoveries.
Liphook In Bloom Cllr Lynn Ashton, Cllr Bill Mouland and Cllr Angela Glass gave £994 to Liphook in Bloom. The money was spent on enhancing the perennial flower beds in Liphook, reinstating wildflower areas around the village green and planting snowdrops and cyclamen.
Alton Kaptur photography club Photography club Alton Kaptur snapped some of the town’s prettiest scenes to coincide with Alton in Bloom 2014 and held an exhibition to show their work. East Hampshire District Council donated £500 towards hosting the exhibition.
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Council grant funds There are various funds that groups can apply to, including: Community Forum Youth Council Money Pot Cabinet Approved Grants Councillor Approved Grants For more information go to www.easthants.gov.uk/grants
one small step Our 2015-16 targets will focus upon the delivery of key projects and programmes set in our Corporate Strategy.
Financial sustainability In 2015-16 we will work to secure the future of front-line council services through financial sustainability, with a target to become independent of the government grant by 2019. We are exploring new business ventures that might help us to meet this target and ways to develop our existing services for new markets/customers.
Organisational development
Leisure strategy
In 2015-16, the council will work to ensure the tools, practices and leadership qualities are developed to create a culture fit for the changing landscape of public services.
Key priorities are to replace Alton Sports Centre and re-provide Mill Chase Leisure Centre to meet the growing needs of Alton and Whitehill & Bordon residents.
Delivering a modern, innovative employment package to attract, retain and motivate staff.
We will also be looking at the Taro Centre, Petersfield, and a new management contract for this from April 2017.
Environmental sustainability Our Energy Strategy puts our planet and sustainability at the heart of council decisions. Public service excellence Investments in key projects including a new customer relationship management system, which will underpin our aspiration to personalise our services.
We will focus on becoming the centre of the local energy sector, an exemplar in energy demand management and a natural home for green industries and businesses.
Whitehill & Bordon regeneration project 2015-16 will see major works begin on the relief road, new homes and training facilities and new employment opportunities. For more information on the project please see www.whitehillbordon.com.
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Social media www.facebook.com/ EastHampshireDistrictCouncil www.twitter.com/EastHantsDC
Online info@easthants.gov.uk www.easthants.gov.uk
Phone 01730 266551
Post or in person East Hampshire District Council Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4EX
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